March '25 News Blog
News briefs from the HCC campus and beyond
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Vintage Vinyl
Alum George Coulter (Holyoke Junior College, class of 1957) and his older brother Joe recently stopped by the HCC radio station to drop off dozens of vintage vinyl records, CDs, and educational tapes. The station lobby was packed with students from the HCC Radio Club there for their weekly gathering. “This is the most people we’ve ever had at a meeting,” said station manager Pat Labelle. “It’s a little crazy.” The records belonged mostly to George’s brother Joe, soon to turn 94, but George arranged the donation. “I mentioned vinyl records, and people got excited,” said George. A Radio Club member hunted down a turntable and put on a Frank Sinatra album. “I was always a jazz fan,” said Joe. “At least in my era, the ‘40s and ‘50s, some of the greatest bands that ever existed played here in Holyoke at a place called the Valley Arena. “I started collecting. I never did catch onto Bebop. I was a big Sinatra fan, until Tony Bennett came along.” The brothers shared stories about growing up in Holyoke on Congress Avenue. They lived right above Mrs. Frost, the mother of HCC’s first president, George Frost. “He would come over on weekends and play piano,” said George. Joe, George and their brother Dave called Mrs. Frost “the cookie lady.” “For those of you who might be in your freshman year and struggling a little bit,” said George, “let it be known that I made it with four D’s and a C and then changed it around my sophomore year, and then I went on to Westfield State, and the rest is history.” PHOTO: George Coulter ’57, right, and his brother Joe, join members of the HCC radio club in the WCCH studio lobby after donating dozens of vintage vinyl records.
'40 Under Forty' Glory
Criminal justice major Mystie Ford ’25 has 
been named a Berkshire County “40 Under Forty” award recipient for 2025. Ford, who lives in Plainfield, was recognized for her volunteer work for the Pittsfield-based Duyle Leadership Experience as well as her work as the Fraud and Loss Prevention Officer for Greylock Credit Union, and her academic achievements at HCC. “I try to make the Berkshires a better place by providing community members with the tools and knowledge to thrive,” Ford said in a Facebook post about her award. “In my role at Greylock I have helped numerous members through challenging times while working to raise fraud awareness. I strive to be the best leader I can be.” At HCC, Ford, 31, is a member of both the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Last year, as a Petey Green tutor, she worked with inmates at a residential facility in Springfield run by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, and, as the top CJ student, she received the HCC Award for Academic Excellence in Criminal Justice. She is on track to graduate in May with a 4.0 GPA. A 100 percent online student, she started HCC in September 2022 while working full time at the bank. She is also the vice president of the American Powerlifting Association, which she co-owns with her husband, Jim, the president.
New Role for North
Payton North ‘15 has joined the Hampden District Attorney’s office in Springfield as its new communications director. “I’m thrilled,” she said in a press release from her new office. “The work of the DA’s Office plays a vital role in our community, and the mission of the office is one that resonates with me both personally and professionally.” North accepted the position after working for The Reminder publications for eight years, the last two as executive editor. North earned her associate degree in communications from HCC before transferring to Western New England University for her bachelor’s degree in journalism and her master’s degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication. She started writing for The Reminder newspapers as a freelancer during her senior year at WNEU. North was succeeded in her Reminder role by another HCC alum, Chris Maza ’04, who has stepped in as interim executive editor. PHOTO: Payton North ‘15 in her previous job as executive editor of The Reminder newspapers.
Movin' On Up
Elizabeth Roman ’03 was recently promoted to executive director at New England Public Media in Springfield. Román joined NEPM as managing editor in 2022 after reporting for nearly two decades at the Springfield Republican newspaper. In her new role, Román will oversee NEPM’s award-winning local newsroom, ascertaining community needs, setting editorial priorities and supervising journalists, local program hosts, freelancers and interns. NEPM News produces 75 newscasts a week, along with features, interviews and commentaries on its flagship station, 88.5 NEPM, and at nepm.org. A lifelong Springfield resident, Román studied journalism and communications at HCC and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Massachusetts. “Being a part of the NEPM newsroom has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” said Román. “I believe in our mission of delivering news that is not only impactful and informative but that also makes listeners curious about the important things happening in western Massachusetts every day. I am a proud Springfield native and Puerto Rican woman who will continue to work with our talented news team to deliver stories that include underrepresented voices in our community.” Román is a member of the HCC Alumni Council and gave a Commencement address to the class of 2024 last June. PHOTO: Elizabeth Román outside the NEPM studio in Springfield
